Chapter 28: Chiori: "Then What Are You Waiting For"

Nightfall

After a long day, Chiori just wanted to have a good meal, take a bath, and lie down. But as she approached her home, she saw a light on in the window. She paused, then a small smile appeared on her cold, beautiful face.

She opened the door and was immediately greeted by the aroma of cooking. She took off her high-heeled geta, slipped on her slippers, and walked through the entrance hall. The first thing she saw was Lu Li, still cooking in the kitchen. The dining table was filled with a variety of dishes, none in large portions, and all her favorites.

A gentle look appeared in Chiori's wine-red eyes. She walked into the kitchen. "Thank you... is there anything I can help with?"

"Hm? You're back... In that case, Chiori, go wash your hands. I'll bring the soup out in a minute."

"Okay... mm, it's all Liyue cuisine?"

"I'm not very good at Inazuman dishes... besides, you don't like heavy, oily food, right?"

"You remembered..." Chiori's expression softened even more. Knowing she shouldn't disturb the chef, she washed her hands and quietly left the kitchen, sitting down at the dining table.

She usually ate alone, either cooking for herself or getting takeout. Having someone cook for her like this reminded her of her childhood in Inazuma, when her parents would call her home for dinner.

Seeing Lu Li emerge from the kitchen with a steaming tureen of soup, Chiori's heart felt warm.

"Here, let me get you a bowl of rice and soup. Your bowl~"

"Okay~"

————

After a pleasant dinner, they washed the dishes together. Then, they sat on the sofa in the living room. Chiori chattered about amusing things that had happened while Lu Li massaged her feet.

Fontaine's technology was highly advanced. A film projector cast a video onto a blue screen on the wall. Chiori, her face blushing as she received Lu Li's service, explained, "See, this is the work that made Chioriya Boutique famous at the first Teyvat Fashion Week. I don't have it here now, it's at the shop, but you can see how extraordinary it is from the projection, right?"

"Mm, I don't really understand, but I remember when we first met, you were working so hard for it. I can still see it clearly. To design that outfit for the competition, I think you didn't wash for two days..."

Chiori's face turned beet red, and she playfully kicked his leg. She remembered her predicament back then, but she didn't want Lu Li to remember her dark history so vividly.

Lu Li laughed and gently pushed her foot away. "But because of that, I got to know you better, Chiori."

"Hmph... you helped me a lot back then too. So, alright, I'll give you fifty percent of the credit," she said softly. "By the way, you left early this morning. How did things go?"

"Mm, it's all settled. The operation is tomorrow," Lu Li said, playing with her black-stockinged foot. "If everything goes as planned, you might see my deeds in the Steambird in a few days! The positive kind, of course. My name won't be on it."

"Charlotte would be very happy to report on you, the person involved. By the way, will this be very dangerous?" Chiori asked nervously, her face flushing from the sensation in her toes.

Lu Li thought for a moment. "There shouldn't be much risk. My strength is there, I can handle any accidents. But, since we're dealing with a rather large organization this time, I might not be able to come over for many days after this."

Chiori understood. She was silent for a moment, watching the projection. Then, she asked softly, "Then what are you waiting for?"

Lu Li, who was massaging her foot, froze. He saw her looking at him, her face flushed. She didn't say anything, but he knew what she meant.

"So, it's time for some after-dinner exercise..." he asked, a gentle smile on his lips.

Chiori hummed in agreement. "My body has recovered. And, it's not like I don't know what you came here for tonight..."

Lu Li was a bit embarrassed at being called out, but Chiori just gave him a sly smile. Since she had already said it, there was no need to delay. He looked at her exquisite face and could see her eagerness to taste the forbidden fruit again. He slowly leaned in, and seeing her close her eyes in anticipation, he met her lips.

After a long moment, when their breathing had become ragged, they finally separated. Even though it wasn't their first time, Chiori's face was still flushed with shyness. Lu Li could feel that her body temperature had risen considerably. It was definitely the perfect time for some after-dinner exercise. But first, he had to clean up. He had been busy all day and was covered in sweat.

He scooped her up in his arms, making her gasp. "Chiori, you probably don't have any clothes I can wear, right?"

"Unless you want to wear a dress," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck to steady herself, her face red. "Or, we can use the clockwork washing machine. It can clean clothes quickly, and if you hang them up overnight, you can wear them tomorrow."

"That's so convenient," Lu Li said, carrying her princess-style towards the bathroom. "Now, let me serve you well, my lady~"

He's not giving me any chance to refuse... Chiori thought shyly, clinging to him. But the smile on her lips showed that she was in a wonderful mood. The deep impression of their first time, his thoughtful care, and their long companionship... Although she kept insisting on certain things, she didn't reject his complete entry into her life. In fact, she was happy to accept it. It was just that, proud as she was, she had chosen to be uncharacteristically reserved about this matter. She didn't really want a casual relationship; it was because she had him in her heart that she didn't want to force him to make a decision...

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